₦airaland Forum

The recent stampede in Ibadan, which claimed the lives of over 35 children during what should have been a festive Christmas event, is not just a tragedy—it is a damning indictment of the Nigerian government’s long-standing complicity in the weaponization of poverty. When a nation loses 35 children not to war or natural disaster but to the sheer desperation of families scrambling for food, it is no longer just a tragedy; it is a calamity—a national disgrace.

Weaponized Poverty: A Systemic Problem

Poverty in Nigeria has long been a tool of governance, wielded by those in power to suppress dissent and keep the populace dependent on crumbs from the elite table. Policies are crafted not to alleviate hardship but to perpetuate it. Inflation soars unchecked, infrastructure crumbles, and basic amenities remain a dream for millions. Meanwhile, the political class thrives, hoarding resources and opportunities.

The result? Scenes like the Ibadan stampede, where children—innocent, vulnerable, and deserving of better—paid the ultimate price for a system that has failed them at every turn. The stampede was not a freak accident; it was a predictable consequence of years of neglect, mismanagement, and deliberate impoverishment.

Calling Out the Adults in the Room

Where were the adults—the so-called “organizers”—when the crowd began to swell uncontrollably? Did no one think to implement basic crowd control measures or cap the number of participants? Did anyone consider that inviting a horde of desperate families into a space without adequate safety measures was akin to lighting a match in a room full of gasoline?

The organizers of this event must bear responsibility for their negligence. Arrest them. Remand them. Hold them accountable for the lives lost and the dreams shattered. Their recklessness warrants not just public condemnation but legal repercussions to serve as a deterrent for future events.

Government Accountability: Blood on Their Hands

But the greater blame lies with the government—both state and federal. For decades, they have overseen a system that normalizes poverty and glorifies charity events as solutions to structural problems. These children should not have been lining up for food in the first place; they should have been in schools, playgrounds, or their homes, enjoying the festive season without fear of being trampled to death.

The government must face the music. A compensation of at least ₦100 million per child is not just a gesture of goodwill—it is a moral obligation. These families have been robbed of their most precious assets, their children, and no amount of money can ever replace them. But this financial penalty could serve as a wake-up call, a reminder that governance comes with accountability.

Practical Solutions: Preventing Another Tragedy
1. Strict Regulation of Public Events:
• All events, especially those catering to large crowds, must require government permits and adhere to strict safety protocols.
• Crowd control experts should be mandatory for gatherings exceeding 500 people.
2. Ban Non-Academic Events in Public Schools:
• Unless safety measures are certified, public schools must not host large non-academic gatherings.
3. Address the Root Cause—Poverty:
• Implement targeted poverty alleviation programs that provide direct aid to families, reducing their reliance on public charity events.
• Scale up access to education, healthcare, and social welfare services to dismantle systemic poverty.
4. Enforce Accountability:
• The organizers of the Ibadan event must be prosecuted.
• Government agencies that failed to monitor and regulate the event should face disciplinary actions.
5. Public Safety Education:
• Launch nationwide campaigns to educate citizens on safety measures during large gatherings and train volunteers in crowd management.

Condolences and a Cry for Change

To the grieving parents, there are no words sufficient to console your pain. Your loss is immeasurable, your heartbreak unending. Nigeria failed you, and for that, we, as a nation, owe you not just apologies but concrete actions to ensure no parent suffers as you have.

The Bigger Picture

If this tragedy does not ignite outrage and action, then we are doomed to repeat it. Poverty remains entrenched, and the hungry will continue to gather wherever food is offered, regardless of the risks. The government must stop treating symptoms and start addressing the disease. It is not enough to mourn the dead; we must fight for the living.

The Ibadan stampede should be the last of its kind—not because we pray it so, but because we take decisive steps to ensure it never happens again. Anything less is an insult to the memories of the children whose lives were so cruelly and unnecessarily cut short.

Where are all the IGR?

What a pity
Okoroawusa, helinues and yarimo will avoid this post. Peter Obi is their imaginary problem not tinibu's bad government.

If there were no serious hunger in the land. These children would be alive today.
Hold APC and Tinubu accountable.

May their gentle souls rest in peace.

Mbanda:
What a pity
Okoroawusa, helinues and yarimo will avoid this post. Peter Obi is their imaginary problem not tinibu's bad government.

Where are their parents? Should any human give birth to children they cannot feed? Don’t you see ordinary hens and goats feeding their children? Are your own children too on the streets searching for free food?

SpatialKing:
Where are all the IGR?

The money has been used to establish baby factories and traffic drugs to US and Europe

I wouldn't be surprised if their fathers are on nairaland defending tinubus policies while claiming the benefits of Tinubus policies for themself and their families as they always do here.

If such party is organized again with no risk assessments nor crowd control put in place...there will still be another surge of crowd because poverty and hunger has messed up their cognitive functioning.

etrouble:
Where are their parents? Should any human give birth to children they cannot feed? Don’t you see ordinary hens and goats feeding their children? Are your own children too on the streets searching for free food?

What sort of rubbish post is this?
So poor people are not suppose to have children again because tinibu is in power? But wait o, are you by any chance insinuating that the poor should leave child bearing for the rich, and the rich must continue to be rich and should never be poor no matter the circumstance?

Abeg how old are you?

Yoruba People’s government led by their god Tinubu

They think they’re doing Nigerians..

Arewa will never get it like this talk more the south or east..

When chronic hunger and acute poverty is dealing with their.. yet on empty belle they hail Tinubu as the best thing on earth

Legendhero is from Ibadan.. but you will never see his opinion on this matter..

Na east he carry for head while his people perish

To be a bigot is nauseating..

I love Ibadan and I deeply sympathize with them on this.. it hurts seeing innocent kids go like that .. because of bad governance from their own blood

God help Nigerians

etrouble:
Where are their parents? Should any human give birth to children they cannot feed? Don’t you see ordinary hens and goats feeding their children? Are your own children too on the streets searching for free food?

The way una dey woorshipthis una Tinubu god is very demonic

One day You go born.. sense will come

I was having this conversation with my partner yesterday.

You created hardship and "hardness" in the land,the people trying to help with the little they have were overwhelmed by the crowd in need.

Who should be punished,you who created the hardship or the person trying to help?

I have to deleted what I typed.

As long as this naratives of yours made you happy, keep on on it.



To the families and loved ones who are grieving, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

May you find strength and comfort in the memories of those you have lost and in the love and support of those around you. We stand with you, united in compassion and solidarity.

Blame it on poverty , the government have failed us, even if another is hosted , people would still rush there, I bought a bag of rice for 90k yesterday

It's so unfortunate

Useless APC government. Before blaming the planning, consider this: if things were going well in Nigeria, would 5,000 parents be sending their children out to collect Christmas palliatives?

Too bad in as much as that Nigerian like being greedy too and the sabi rush

Hmmm!


The level of hunger in Yoruba land is very alarming and they are still bent on following Tinubu to the grave that's exactly what has happened here


I've never seen, it's like they are competing with Fulani who followed BUHARI to their suffering and banditry til today.


🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

The Organizers...

But..but..IGR 🥹🥹

When you're telling some fools to focus, they'd be engrossed in sycophantic tribal wars on behalf of their paymasters.

The government! The hardship, hunger and desperation in Nigeria today is nit funny @ all. May families really be comforted from this avoidable tragedy l.

etrouble:
Where are their parents? Should any human give birth to children they cannot feed? Don’t you see ordinary hens and goats feeding their children? Are your own children too on the streets searching for free food?

A good number of the children concerned are aged 5-12. Meaning their parents gave birth to them at a time when they could reasonably afford to do so, before bat came into power.

So, it is safe to say that it is the increasing hardship occasioned by apc in general and bat in particular that has worsened the plight of the people you call poor and denigrate thier right to have offsprings to carry on the next generation.

Mbanda:
What sort rubbish post is this?
So poor people are not suppose to have children again? But wait o, are you by any chance insinuating that the poor should leave child bearing for the rich, and the rich must continue to be rich and should never be poor no matter the circumstance?

Abeg how old are you?

Yes, you are not supposed to have children that you cannot feed. If in your own family you give birth to children and throw them on the streets to beg, then hand go soon touch you, and you will be prosecuted and jailed. That Almajari mentality wey dey for your head go disappear when you get to prison for child neglect. Even animals provide food for their children.

Burying children because of food when we are not at war
Oh nangeria..

U dey try blame government??

Has the govt ever admitted their wrong and taken blame of any of the evil they caused in this nation.??...Na the one wey no be directly their faulty u dey call government ....if they arrest u for defamation....ur bail na 100million.

Just blame and arrest the organizers of the event for poor crowd control....they should pay damages ....

government better seize opportunity and set up new agency for vetting and approval of public event that will have crowed above 300 pple........ Small local government tax for approval document go dey enter ...

advanceDNA:
U dey try blame government??

MAD people, they are blaming government that some other MAD people gave birth to children and throw them on the streets to look for free food